The Portree Local History Society will host an evening remembering Shinty Tales of John “The Caley” Nicolson at Tigh na Sgire, Portree on Tuesday 9 February 2016.
John “The Caley” Nicolson served Skye Camanachd for over 30 years and he was always involved with the club until his passing in 2013.
The audience will hear a talk from Skye Camanachd trio Alasdair Bruce, Donnie Martin and John “Slippy” Finlayson, discussing John’s life and the massive contribution he made to the areas of Skye & Raasay and to and Skye Camanachd in particular.
An extract from the talk reads, “John “the Caley” will always be synonymous with Skye Camanachd. He fulfilled almost every role within the club – the only sports club to represent Skye at a national level on a weekly basis.
John’s many jobs over the years with Skye Camanachd included:
- Pitch maintenance
- Fund Raising
- Running the 100 Club
- Caman repairs
- Team affairs
- Committee member
- Chairman, Vice Chairman, Chieftain, Vice President
- Representing the club on other committees
- Goal Judge
It’s a long list and I doubt a day would go by where John’s topic of conversation wouldn’t in some way turn to Skye Camanachd.
When Skye Camanachd fell into abeyance in 1964, it was against a backdrop of:
- The burden of organisational difficulties
- A lack of foresight from the game’s governing body on how to foster the sport in the more remote areas
- Little or no financial back-up and
- The burden of running the club falling on too few shoulders
Shinty never completely went away on the Island during the second half of the 1960s though ……. some games were played locally and indeed a few Skye players played competitively for our neighbours Lochcarron.
However when Skye Camanachd resurfaced 5 years later, it returned with renewed vigour and in a more sustainable format than ever before.
The club was reconstituted at a meeting in Portree on Tuesday 2 September 1969. Colonel Jock MacDonald was appointed President and Inspector Duncan MacIntyre was elected Chairman.
To take the club from this standing start in 1969 to where they are today required:
- The endeavour of a pool of dedicated players
- And a back-room team of committed men …. men like John “The Caley” Nicolson.
There will also be an airing of a recording of John’s acceptance speech when he was made a Freeman of Skye & Raasay in 2008 as well as a special playing of “John Nicolson’s March To Freedom”, especially written for the occasion by Blair Douglas and which will feature on Blair’s forthcoming new album. There will also be a picture montage of John as well as a display of some special items.
The evening starts at 7.30pm.
All Welcome and Admission is £3 (Members free)